Nephews K. & D. had a two week vacation from school over Christmas and New Year’s. TWO. WEEKS. After the boys take ridiculously long showers (what a water bill they must have), we play games, we do crafts, and I try (with limited success) to get some work done while D. leans on my elbow. …
Finding the artist in me
Art classes, art projects, creations
Screen Time Ate My Brain
The phrase ‘screen time’ is in the Oxford dictionary: Screen time: noun : the time allotted to or occupied by a particular subject, actor, etc., on film or television: these characters deserve more screen time : time spent using a device such as a computer, television, or games console. The second definition as a concept …
Christmas Crafts
One Christmas my mother made candy wreaths for our elementary school teachers. She bent a metal coat hanger into a perfect circle then painstakingly tied red and green curling ribbon around the hoop, adding peppermint candies along the way. She was very good at making ringlets with a quick zip of the ribbon between thumb …
Getting A Christmas Wish
Last week, I previewed my upcoming publication in our local daily newspaper, the Democrat and Chronicle. This is, by far, the best Christmas gift I have ever received! The past year has been one gratifying writing experience after another. I cannot thank enough all the people who have helped me along the way; old and …
Hallelujah and light the Yule Log! (I’m published again)
The Winter Solstice, this dormant season’s official start, occurs in three days. It marks on the calendar the longest night of the year. It is an ancient holiday that precedes a newer holiday by four days – one that dominates the season for a variety reasons. But Christmas and Winter Solstice are similar in an …
Hallelujah and light the Yule Log! (I’m published again)Read More
Halloween Carving
Week Two of Linoleum Block Cutting was finishing the sampler and printing. My sampler had me conceptualizing, sketching and using nearly all of the gouges – a real run through the creative gauntlet, but a practical adventure! The printing exercise is more practical adventuring in water-based ink, several kinds of papers and different methods of …
Block Cutting at GCAE
Writing is my craft, but block cutting is becoming a creative outlet. It is the art that set this ship sailing – a quiet, solitary process. A little physical, a little analytical, and a lot of faith. Last Fall I took a Block Cutting and Spoon Printing class at Genesee Center for the Arts and …
Metamorphosis
Milkweed is an invasive plant, one that can grow to five feet tall and then releases its seeds in a snowstorm of burst pods in late summer. They proliferate and their roots grow deep. I know this because I used to pull them out every growing season, the milky white poison splattering and running down …
